WHEN Susan Naylor was born, Albert Einstein was in the process of publishing his special theory of relativity, Theodore Roosevelt was in the White House and Chelsea FC was established in London.
Yesterday she celebrated her 106th birthday in the company of her family and some friends at the Beechwood Nursing Home in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, where she has lived for the last 17 years.
Originally from Limerick, Ms Naylor was predeceased several years ago by her husband. She now enjoys keeping up with her relations and their lives and remains in good form, according to Beechwood director of nursing Eileen Stapleton.
“She’s a lovely lady, likes conversation and likes to know what’s going on with her family.”
Yesterday’s big day was marked with a small party in the nursing home with Ms Naylor and her close family, friends and staff.
Ms Stapleton said that after making checks with Áras an Uachtaráin, which monitors the Republic’s centenarians, the family established their matriarch’s place in the pecking order of Ireland’s most senior citizens.
“She’s not the oldest, she’s the ninth oldest in the country,” Ms Stapleton said. “Apparently the oldest is 110 and living in Cork.”